Gardeners Coombe Modern Slavery Statement

This Modern Slavery Statement is made by Gardeners Coombe in respect of the financial year ending 31 December and sets out the steps we are taking to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our business operations and supply chains. Gardeners Coombe is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all business relationships, and to implementing effective systems and controls to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place anywhere within our organisation or among our suppliers.

Our Business and Supply Chain

Gardeners Coombe operates within the gardening, landscaping, and related services sector. Our activities involve working with a range of suppliers, including nurseries, materials providers, equipment manufacturers, labour agencies, and professional service providers. We recognise that risks of modern slavery can be present at various tiers of the supply chain, particularly where there is low-skilled or seasonal labour or complex global sourcing of raw materials and manufactured goods.

We are committed to understanding these risks and to working only with suppliers and partners who share our commitment to ethical labour practices and respect for human rights.

Zero-Tolerance Approach to Modern Slavery

Gardeners Coombe maintains a clear and unequivocal zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, including forced labour, bonded labour, human trafficking, child labour, and any form of servitude or exploitation. This commitment applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf at any level, including employees, agency workers, contractors, consultants, and suppliers.

We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers, and other business partners. We explicitly prohibit any practice that restricts a worker’s freedom of movement, withholds identity documents, imposes illegal recruitment fees, or otherwise exploits vulnerability for commercial gain.

Supplier Standards and Audits

To support our zero-tolerance stance, Gardeners Coombe is integrating anti-slavery expectations into supplier selection, onboarding, and performance review processes. Where appropriate, we require suppliers to confirm that they have policies and procedures in place to prevent modern slavery and to comply with all applicable labour and human rights laws.

We are developing a risk-based programme of supplier audits and assessments. Higher-risk suppliers, such as those operating in sectors or regions where labour exploitation is more prevalent, may be subject to enhanced due diligence, including requests for evidence of their own modern slavery policies, training, and monitoring processes. We reserve the right to conduct on-site inspections or to engage independent auditors where justified by the level of risk.

If a supplier is found to be involved in modern slavery or fails to take adequate remedial action when concerns are raised, Gardeners Coombe will take appropriate steps, which may include suspension of orders, termination of contracts, or reporting the matter to the relevant authorities.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

Gardeners Coombe encourages all employees, workers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to raise concerns about potential or actual instances of modern slavery within our operations or supply chain. Concerns may relate to working conditions, recruitment practices, treatment of workers, or any behaviour that appears exploitative or coercive.

We maintain internal reporting channels that allow individuals to raise issues in confidence without fear of retaliation. Reports can be made to line managers, senior management, or through designated reporting routes described in our internal policies. All reports will be taken seriously, treated sensitively, and investigated promptly and fairly.

We are committed to protecting anyone who raises a concern in good faith from victimisation, dismissal, or any other adverse treatment arising from the disclosure.

Training, Awareness, and Continuous Improvement

Gardeners Coombe is working to increase awareness of modern slavery risks among employees whose roles involve procurement, recruitment, or supplier management. Training and guidance focus on recognising indicators of exploitation, understanding our policies and expectations, and knowing how to escalate concerns.

We acknowledge that addressing modern slavery is an ongoing responsibility that requires continual improvement. We will review and refine our policies, risk assessments, and supplier engagement processes as our understanding of best practice evolves.

Monitoring and Annual Review

This Modern Slavery Statement and our associated procedures will be reviewed annually by the Gardeners Coombe leadership team. The review will consider any incidents reported, the effectiveness of our controls and audits, and emerging risks within our sector and supply chain.

Following each review, we will update our action plans and, where necessary, strengthen our due diligence, training, and reporting mechanisms. By maintaining this cycle of monitoring and improvement, Gardeners Coombe aims to ensure that our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery is embedded in our culture and consistently applied across all aspects of our business.